Chapter 4: Moments

When the Governor's rampage started Hershel and Carol took cover in the cell block. It seemed like they were waiting for hours for it to stop. They felt useless and trapped, they didn't know if anyone was injured or worse and the unknown was unbearable. Hershel stood at the entrance of the building, gripping his crutches so hard to the point his knuckles turned white. Carol stood close by listening for any screams from their loved ones. Then as soon as it started the popping noises stopped. Carol glanced at Hershel. "Do you think its over?"

"We can't be sure." He mumbled grabbing his crutches. "But I can't sit here and wait while my girls are out there."

Helping him open the door Carol grabbed her gun and they cautiously made their way into the yard. Before they reached the group Carl came running up to them. "Beth's hurt!" He gasped trying to catch his breath.

Hershel looked behind the boy to see Rick coming towards them with Beth in his arms. "Bring her in here!" He commanded turning around to go back into the cellblock.

As gently as he could Rick placed her on one of the bunks. Rolling up his sleeves Hershel looked to Carol. "Get me wet towels, we need to wash some of this blood off." With a nod Carol ran off leaving Rick standing by Hershel.

Rick wanted to stay, just to make sure she was ok but he knew Hershel needed some space. Stepping into the cellblock he saw Glenn holding onto a sobbing Maggie. Clenching his jaw he made his way outside where Daryl and Michonne were surveying the damage. "How is she?" Michonne asked.

Shaking his head Rick sighed. "I don't know yet. Hershel is looking her over." He wanted to change the subject otherwise he would otherwise want to go back in the cellblock. "We take two steps forward and get knocked five steps back."

Sighing Daryl adjusted his crossbow. "Tomorrow me and Glenn will work on the fence but we're gonna need something stronger real quick."

"All right until its fixed we need to double up on watches. I want someone in the guard tower at all times." Rick instructed. "We need to find a new town for supplies as soon as possible."

Beth wasn't sure how long she had been asleep, she wasn't even sure how she had gotten inside the building. All she could remember was standing with Carl as the prison was being attacked. Groaning she turned her head to see her upper arm bandaged with dried blood covering her skin. "She's awake." Hearing Maggie's voice made Beth look up towards the entrance of her cell.

"Beth?" Hershel murmured hobbling over to her bunk. "Does your arm hurt? What happened out there, honey?"

Flashbacks from earlier that day came rushing back to her. "Carl? Is he ok? How did I get here? Who did this?" Hershel tried to calm his youngest daughter by putting a hand on her forehead.

"He's fine, he actually told us how you got him out of the way before he got hurt." Maggie explained. "We found you passed out against the wall. Rick carried you in here."

"I got shot?" Beth murmured.

"No, the bullet grazed your arm but it definitely cut you up pretty good." Hershel explained. "You'll have to take it easy for a few days. Don't pick up anything heavy or strain yourself and you should be back to normal in no time."

"Ok," She nodded.

"All right, now you just get some rest. We'll bring up some supper later." He told her, leaning down to kiss her on the forehead.

Beth didn't need to be told twice to sleep, in a matter of minutes she felt herself dozing off. "She's tougher than we give her credit for." Maggie whispered, careful not to wake her younger sister.

"Yeah well lets just hope she doesn't have to prove how tough she is anytime soon. I don't think I can handle anything like this again when it comes to you girls." Hershel sighed rising from his seat. "Come on, let her sleep."

Hours passed, the sun had set giving the prison an eery feeling. Rick had been on watch all day with Glenn. A few walkers had made their way through the destroyed gates but nothing the two men couldn't handle on their own. Around supper time they came down from the guard tower for Daryl and Carol to take over. Inside the cellblock Glenn went to find Maggie while Rick fixed a plate of food Carol had made for their group before her watch duty. Carl sat at a table with his finished plate in front of him. "Hey you all right?" Rick asked his son taking a seat beside him.

"Yeah," Carl mumbled. "I think I'm just gonna go to bed."

Before Rick had the chance to say anything Carl was already gone from the table. Shaking his head he ate his food in silence. Once he was done he decided to check on Beth. He had been told how she pulled Carl to safety when the Governor started attacking the prison. Peaking into her cell he saw her trouble to sit up in her bunk. "Hey, be careful there," He instructed stepping into the cramped room.

Beth's eyes widened hearing his voice. She just wanted some water to wash the dried blood off her arm but it seemed she couldn't even do that. "I was just..." She stammered.

"Just lay back, what do you need?" Rick asked.

Sighing to herself she looked up to see his face full of concern. "I just needed some water, daddy didn't really wash all this off." She explained gesturing to her left arm.

"I'll be right back."

Slowly she laid back on her bunk. Every time she found herself around Rick she was terrified she would fumble her words and make herself sound like an idiot. Even after she's been around him for so many months she still feels incredibly intimidated around him. She had been so grateful for him and what he had done for her and her family but she was afraid he would only see her as that frightened little girl from the farm forever. Lost in her thoughts she didn't even realize he was standing by the side of her bunk. "Oh thank you," She blurted reaching up for the bowl.

"Just hold still," He told her sitting down on the stool she had at her desk. "I'm sure Hershel told you to take it easy."

"He did, but I thought I could handle this." She laughed softly.

"After what you did for my son this is the least I could do."

"Still...you don't have to."

"I want to," The usual harshness to his voice was gone. He was so gentle Beth felt like she was dreaming all over again.

Watching as he pressed the washcloth to her skin they fell into a comfortable silence. Beth wished she could think of something to say but she was still in shock she had been around him by herself for this long. Finally she asked him the first thing that popped into her head. "How's Judith? Maggie took her crib out of here earlier."

"She's fine, we moved her stuff to my cell. She'll be in there while you recover. The last thing you need to worry about is midnight feedings right now."

"You guys don't have to baby me, you know?"

"I don't see it as babying, I see it as letting a member of the group take a much deserved break." Beth felt butterflies in her stomach when she saw the sides of his mouth perk up into a smile. "I never really thanked you for all you do with the baby."

"Its no trouble."

"Yeah well, its not fair to you, an eighteen year old girl to be the sole caregiver to a baby that's not even yours."

Beth frowned. "Really, its no trouble. Anything I can do to help out. I know things get really difficult around here, I mean look at today. Even if I can do the smallest things to contribute, like make Judith a bottle, I'm happy to do it."

In that moment Rick realized this girl had to grow up so fast because of this, just like Carl had. Even though no one could prepare for this, her life had been ripped from her in the blink of an eye. And even though the world had been so cruel to her and her family she still remained to be a positive, hopeful person. The world needed more people like that.

After he finished cleaning her arm Rick stood up. "Well you just get some sleep. I'll bring Judith tomorrow and let you see her if you want."

"I would like that." She smiled.

Nodding once he left the cell leaving the blonde girl smiling from ear to ear.